Corporate Giving On The Rise

Over the past year, corporate philanthropy, facilitated in many instances by Old Dominion alumni, has played an important role in providing resources for the university to meet its strategic plan goals.

In many instances, this philanthropy also benefits Hampton Roads. Corporations are helping fund areas experiencing critical workforce shortages, such as engineering, accounting, education, child care and the health care professions.

“Since 2003, the state legislature has graciously increased our base funding and also appropriated additional support for special programs,” said Elizabeth Taraski, ODU associate vice president for development and alumni relations. “As you walk throughout the campus you experience the impact of the additional government funding together with the increase in generous contributions from alumni and friends, foundations and, increasingly, corporations.”
The following are examples of recent corporate contributions:

Education–Wachovia contributed $200,000 for the $4 million renovation and expansion of the Child Study Center. The facility will provide additional opportunities for student practicums and professional development courses for community childcare center directors and staff.

Health care–Lake Taylor Transitional Hospital contributed $25,000 to the College of Health Sciences to expand clinical opportunities for students.

Accounting–The accounting program is raising $500,000 to establish the first of three endowed professorships in accounting. To help gain the support of area firms, the college has created a volunteer committee composed primarily of accounting alumni.

Corporate pledges have been received from Wall, Einhorn & Chernitzer, P.C., and McPhillips, Roberts & Deans, P.L.C. Jeffrey S. Chernitzer ’79 is one of the committee members and fellow alumnus Edward Amorosso ’78 is a managing member of McPhillips, Roberts & Deans.

Engineering–Three engineering companies, all led by ODU alumni, recently established scholarships to encourage students to pursue engineering degrees:

• BBG Inc. Endowed Scholarship, $25,000, led by James Black ’80, president, and Joseph Gander ’84, vice president.

• Pace Collaborative Endowed Scholarship, $25,000, led by John Devan, president, and Eddie Abrams, a former ODU student. Pace Collaborative is a Corporate Circle Partner.

• Hankins and Anderson Annual Scholarship, $53,660 over five years, led by Mike Matthews ’82, president. Hankins and Anderson Inc. is establishing the endowed award to promote co-op/internship opportunities with the company.